Nigeria's ambitious 2030 immunisation targets are under threat due to a massive funding gap and slow budget releases. The federal government has increased its vaccine allocation from ₦137 billion in 2024 to ₦231.7 billion in 2025, but actual disbursements remain low. In 2024, only 25% of the budgeted ₦137 billion for vaccines was released.
The estimated annual immunisation funding needs are $430 million. Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), notes that the resources being dispersed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund are reaching facilities. However, an expert describes the vaccine funding as "a drop of water in an ocean" compared to Nigeria's needs.
Procurement cycles for vaccines are lengthy, leaving no room for administrative delays. An expert warns of a looming risk of a "stock-out" if funding is not increased. Even if vaccines arrive, crumbling infrastructure to deliver them poses another threat. Financial barriers are compounded by social ones, with an estimated 2.1 million "zero-dose" children.
Dr Muyi Aina's words highlight the stark reality of Nigeria's immunisation funding gap. The country's reliance on international partners such as GAVI and UNICEF is unsustainable if it hopes to hit the global target of 90% coverage for essential vaccines. To bridge the funding gap, Nigeria must find a way to increase its vaccine allocation and disbursements, or risk falling short of its ambitious 2030 targets.
